Originally Posted by
Pausanias
South African safaris are basically artificially stocked zoos. Real safaris are done in other countries, such as Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda and (currently the favourite) Republic of Congo. Next stop: Gabon with the beach elephants and hippos. South Africa is great for winelands, unique Cape Dutch architecture, fynbos, general scenery and beaches. I'd never do a safari there.
Thanks to this comment, I now realize that the lion I saw taking down a gazelle in Kruger was probably all done by animatronics. I am so easily fooled!
Seriously, I have had great safari experiences in Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana, but also in South Africa -- both at a private reserve and at a public park (Kruger).